New for 2014: Yakima Valley Pippins

With a nod to the area’s baseball history combined with plenty of community input, we have the name of the newest team in the summer-collegiate West Coast League: the Yakima Valley Pippins.

The Pippins brand features vibrant colors that reflect those found in the sunshine, majestic mountains, and rolling farmlands of the Yakima Valley. The brand, which features Legends Green, Pippins Green and Columbia Sky Blue, was developed by Studio Simon’s Dan Simon, working hand-in-hand with team director of operations Noel Zanchelli and Pacific Baseball Ventures COO Zachary Fraser to create a brand that is unique to the Yakima community.

“Dan is one of the greats in the game at creating brand identities that are truly that – identities – not just logos,” Fraser said. “We look forward to integrating this brand throughout the entire fan and player experience at Yakima County Stadium.”

The team name is a reference to the past, the present and the future of the game in the Valley. The past lends reference to the Pippins Baseball Club that represented the community from 1937-1941 as a member of the Western International League. The present is captured with the apple playing a prominent role in the presentation of the brand and across the primary, secondary and alternate marks, just as the apple industry continues to play a vital role in the lives of many in the region. The future is found in colors that draw attention to the bright future that the Yakima Valley is poised to experience, both on and off the baseball diamond. Additional brand elements, including home, road, and alternate uniforms and the team mascot, will be released in spring of 2014.

Also introduced today: Selah native Marcus McKimmy, the head coach of the Yakima Valley Community College baseball team, would lead the team as the inaugural manager. McKimmy, a former player in the WCL with fellow WCL East division member Wenatchee, played collegiately at Columbia Basin College (2005-06), San Jose State (2007) and Gonzaga (2008) after prepping at Selah High School. While at Selah, he led the Vikings to two Washington state Final Four appearances, finishing third in the state in both 2001 and 2004. His career in the WCL garnered recognition in 2006, as he was an All-WCL Honorable Mention performer for the Applesox. He took over the head job at YVC this past season, and led the Yaks to a third-place finish in the NWAACC with a 33-19 record.

“Marcus’ experience in the WCL was an important factor in hiring him,” said Zanchelli. “He has had success at every level of the game, and I look forward to doing all I can to help him lead the Pippins to a WCL Championship.”

“I look forward to Opening Day,” said McKimmy. “I am excited to be a part of the Pippins taking the field for the first time in front of friends and family in my hometown who have helped me find some success in this game.”

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